Here we go again...

So I know this just looks like a cute bag sitting on my kitchen counter, but this bag is the beginning of a journey for my family. This bag holds the future of my growing family. The contents of this bad scare the $h*t out of me & excite me all in the same breath. So what's in the bag you ask? Well here it goes........

This bag has been labeled my "Baby Making Bag." This bag includes all the necessities to start trying for baby #2(EEEEEKKKK!!!!) To save you from going back to through my previous posts I'll give you the quick & dirty story. My sweet hubby & I have been together for about 10 years & got married 6 years ago in 2008. Shortly after our marriage we knew we wanted to start a family, but we also knew this could be a risky task. DH had retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina) as a baby. We consulted several genetic counselors who recommended IVF with PGD (Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis). So basically we went through the IVF process & after egg retrieval a little piece of each embryo was sent to a lab to have their genetic material screened for the genetic mutation that caused DH's cancer. In 2010, after 2 IVF cycles we became pregnant with our little jelly bean, Aubrie Madalyn.

We were able to freeze 2 embryo to use for later ;). Well here it is 3, almost 4 years later & we are ready to thaw those babies out. So here we go again... We had a consult with a new RE who is closer to home & closer to my work & we have come up with a plan. I have already had my diagnostic testing. I go to the RE Wednesday for blood-work & an ultrasound. Hopefully I will start taking Lupron on Thursday. **FINGERS CROSSED**

29 week bump update

How Far Along: 29 weeks & 3 days



Weight: +10 pounds


Maternity Clothes: OH YEAH! But I do still fit in my regular jeans.


Stretch Marks: I am starting with some faint strecth marks to my sodes.  But I am doing my best to lather up with cocoa butter.


Sleep: I am having some serious trouble sleeping. I am a belly sleeper so sleeping on my sides has been really hard. My back has been killing me when I wake up in the mornings.


Best Moment of the Week: Watching my baby girl wiggle around & send sharp kicks to my belly.


Movement: All the time!! I read that this week she will be even more active than she has been & boy is that the truth.  I had my 1 hour glucose test & she went crazy after I drank the "punch."


Food Cravings: COOKIES, sweets, cereal.


Gender: GIRL! We are naming her Aubrie Madalyn.  We even finished her nursery (minus some furniture).

What I Miss: Regular Pepsi, Motrin, and sushi.

 

How's Daddy: He has been so supportive & caring.  Being pregnant I have been going through crazy mood swings and craving.  My loving husband has done everything I have asked plus some.  He even helped me pick out shoes for baby girl at Babies R Us.

 

Emotions: I am really getting excited to have Aubrie here with us.  We toured our maternity unit and it made everything seem so much closer.  I can't believe in about 74 days she will be here making our lives so special.  I just can't wait!! 

23 week update

How Far Along: 23 weeks & 4 days

Weight: +5 pounds

Maternity Clothes: OH YEAH!  But I do still fit in my regular jeans.

Stretch Marks: Same old stretch marks I've had since I was a teenager (damn genetics)


Sleep: Sleeping & I don't get along that well now days.  I wake frequently at night and I am always tired during the day.


Best Moment of the Week: Every minute I feel my little one squirming around in my tummy is a good moment!


Movement: All the time!! Sometimes she kicks so hard I can baerly concentrate.


Food Cravings: Salads


Gender: GIRL!  I am so excited to have a sweet little girl to dress up & show off.  I think daddy is just as excited as I am.


What I Miss: Regular Pepsi & Motrin.


How's Daddy: He is very busy.  We still have to put flooring down & paint the nursery.  He wants to be much more involved in making all decisions, including the nursery decor.


Emotions: I am starting to get nervous that our little bean will come out nameless & without a room to sleep in.  My moods have been varying depending on the second. 

Natural Childbirth?

To all my baby mommas who went au-natural...




I need help! Natural childbirth is my goal & my OB suggested starting yoga or meditation. Anyone have any suggestions on good books, dvds, websites, etc to help me? Typically I'm a weenie, but I really really want to do this naturally. I will take any and all suggestions.

18 Week Update

How Far Along: 18 weeks & 4 days

Weight: I don't know, we will find out Monday at our ultrasound.

Maternity Clothes: I have been wearing some maternity shirts because my belly is very high up & I can still fit in my regular jeans =)

Stretch Marks: Same old stretch marks I've had since I was a teenager (damn genetics)

Sleep: Sleeping has become harder & harder lately. I have started sleeping with more & more pillows to increase my comfort.

Best Moment of the Week: DH being able to feel the baby moving around

Movement: YES! I feel the baby move sporadically. I can go for days without feeling it move but when I do it's so relieving.

Food Cravings: Plain bagel with cream cheese

Gender: We should know in less than 1 week & I can't wait!

What I Miss: Regular Pepsi & Motrin, these hormone headaches are brutal.

How's Daddy: He's doing fantastic. I was craving cereal for dinner so he went out & bought me some milk

Emotions: I am so anxious for our big gender reveal ultrasound! I can't wait to see our little jelly bean's heartbeat & hopefully whether it's a boy or a girl.

15 weeks

How Far Along: 15 weeks & 4 days

Weight: -1 pound as of my Dr. appointment yesterday

Maternity Clothes: I have been wearing some maternity shirts because my belly is very high up & I can still fit in my regular jeans =)

Stretch Marks: Same old stretch marks I've had since I was a teenager (damn genetics)

Sleep: I have been falling asleep faster than I ever have before but when I wake up to pee in the morning I have trouble falling back to sleep. This morning I woke up at 7 on my day off, couldn't go back to sleep so I went grocery shopping

Best Moment of the Week: Hearing my little jelly beans heart beating away at my doctor's appointment

Movement: I can't tell if I'm feeling the baby move or not, I have no clue what movement is supposed to feel like. My doctor said I should be feeling movement soon because my baby is active & I am small

Food Cravings: Plain bagel with cream cheese

Gender: We should know in 4 weeks & I can't wait to start buying all the fun gender specific stuff!

What I Miss: Regular Pepsi & Motrin, these hormone headaches are brutal.

How's Daddy: He is still very excited & helps me around the house.

Emotions: Right now I am feeling great! I am so excited & looking forward to our next ultrasound. I can't wait to feel my little one wiggling around inside me.

13 Weeks

13 weeks...I can hardly believe that I am able to say this. That I could possibly be pregnant. But I am here & loving it. I will take all the symptoms in the world because one look at the sweet little one growing inside me makes it totally worthwhile. So I figure why not start with the pregnancy updates & keep everyone tuned in, so here goes nothing:


How far along: 13 weeks & 4 days (to be exact)

Weight: So far I haven't gained anything. I lost 5 pounds early on due to extreme nausea. So I have put the 5 pounds lost back on but I don't count that as true weight gain, I just started eating again.

Maternity clothes: No not really. I am starting to look like I devoured a dozen donuts on my own so I have bought some maternity clothes but haven't wore them yet. I have been wearing a belly band because I feel like it helps me feel comfortable.

Stretch Marks: I have had them since I went through puberty. i anticipate that they will get worse but I haven't noticed a change yet.

Sleep: Generally I sleep well with frequent bathroom breaks. Last night & the previous night I have gone to bed with a horrible pounding headache so I didn't sleep very well. Unfortunately the headache is still here this morning GRRR This darn Tylenol isn't touching it.

Best Moment of the Week: Getting a call from the Dr. office saying the chances of Down's & Trisomy 18 are very slim. I am praying for a happy healthy little baby.

Movement: Nope not for a while I assume.

Food Cravings: This week I have been craving for anything potatoes. Augratin, french fries, wedges, mashed... You name it I'm eating it. I am hoping this craving goes away fast or I'll be packing on the pounds.

Gender: Our scan is scheduled Dec. 6th, so 41 days from now we should know. It sounds crazy but I have a feeling it's a girl.

What I Miss: Sushi & Diet Pepsi

Milestone: I am planning on telling my boss & my family this week. To me, it just doesn't feel real because no one knows yet. I can't wait to be able to talk openly above a whisper to everyone I know about my wonderful gift.

How's Daddy: He is so excited. He has started to rub my tummy & even confided in a work friend that I am pregnant.

Emotions: The are ever changing & range from crying to happy to pissed in a matter of minutes. I am excited & scared to tell everyone. I want the world to know this beautiful thing I am going through but again I am scared telling will be a jinx. I really hope I don't announce to the world & then something bad happens.